CAMBRIDGE, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The 12th Annual MIT Sloan CIO Symposium today announced four finalists for the 2015 MIT Sloan CIO Leadership Award. The winner will be announced on the eve of the Symposium, which takes place at MIT on May 20, 2015.
The MIT Sloan CIO Leadership Award honors Chief Information Officers (CIOs) who lead their organizations to deliver business value and innovative use of IT in exceptional ways.
“These finalists are truly amazing leaders, and the award committee is proud to name them as finalists,” said Dr. George Westerman, Research Scientist of the MIT Initiative on the Digital Economy and Co-Chair of the Award Program. “These leaders, along with their business colleagues, have used technology to truly transform their businesses. They have set the course for a successful digital future.”
The MIT Sloan CIO Symposium 2015 MIT Sloan CIO Leadership Award finalists are:
Pablo Ciano, CIO, DHL Express Americas
Mr. Ciano is the CIO at DHL Express Americas, a leading provider of worldwide logistics services specializing in international express shipping. The BIT (Business IT) organization he oversees guides the company’s technology strategy with a specific focus on systems convergence, service reliability and developing new capabilities to improve and streamline company IT and support processes. In addition to his IT responsibilities, he oversees the Customer Service function within the AM region covering 20 Call Centers and over 3,000 customer service agents spread across the region.
“It is truly an honor to be part of such a distinguished group of IT Leaders and be recognized by such a prestigious institution,” said Pablo Ciano, CIO, DHL Express Americas. “It is also a recognition to the DHL IT team which supports the most international logistics network in the world, 24/7 in 220 countries; they are the ones delivering an insanely customer centric experience to internal colleagues and customers.”
Herve Coureil, CIO, Schneider Electric
Mr. Coureil is responsible for Information Technology, Processes and Organization for Schneider Electric globally. He also oversees the company's program "Schneider is On." His organization - whose mission is underlined by the "Digitize to Empower" motto - focuses on enabling distinctive digital customer, partner and employee experiences as well as supporting the implementation of new digital models and offers. Mr. Coureil joined Schneider Electric in 1993 and has held several senior management positions, including roles in finance, business development and mergers & acquisitions for the Group. He became Chief Information Officer in 2009.
“As every business becomes a technology business, the amount of transformation to be driven throughout the organization is unprecedented,” said Herve Coureil, CIO, Schneider Electric. “This recognition – shared with an amazing set of finalists - is a tribute to Schneider Electric's teams across the globe who collaborate relentlessly to make Information Technology a distinct advantage for our customers."
Peter Nichol, Director, IT, Access Health CT
Peter Nichol, Head of Information Technology, is responsible for IT at Access Health CT (AHCT), Connecticut's Health Insurance Exchange (HIX). Peter oversees AHCT's online marketplace systems, worker case management and electronic integration with Federal Systems, State Agencies and Insurance Carriers. He directs all aspects of IT, including internal IT and the data center infrastructure supporting AHCT's business systems. Furthermore, his team is responsible for the architecture, design, development, testing and deployment of all systems along with ensuring their proper functioning in production. Additionally, Peter Champions Digital for AHCT and is responsible for AHCT's transformational SaaS digital platform and mobile applications.
"I am honored to be selected as a MIT Sloan CIO Leadership Award Finalist and to be standing among such prestigious leaders,” said Peter Nichol, Director, IT, Access Health CT. “This recognition is a testament to the achievements of my team and the entire Access Health CT Organization. AHCT has constantly shown that when a team comes together with the passion, curiosity and the unified dream that they have the ability to change the nation: the impossible becomes attainable opening the door to true consumer engagement. I'm proud to say our organization believed in the impossible and is at the forefront digitizing health insurance exchanges and transforming the healthcare industry - one consumer at a time."
Michael Nilles, CIO, Schindler
As CIO for Schindler, Mr. Nilles is responsible globally for Digital Business, Business Process Management, Information Technology and Business Shared Services. In addition, he is the CEO of Schindler Digital Business AG, the company's digital business unit. Nilles has successfully been driving Schindler's digital business transformation including IT rationalization, global business process optimization and leveraging innovative digital business models as competitive advantage for the company in the industry.
"I am very honored in being chosen as finalist for the 2015 MIT Sloan CIO Leadership Award,” said Michael Nilles, CIO, Schindler Group. “MIT is a hotbed for innovation and disruptive technologies driving new business models, and business transformation has always been a great source of inspiration for me in my career as CIO. This nomination substantiates our significant efforts in digitizing our company and its entire ecosystem to stay at the forefront of our industry."
After two rounds of intense review, a panel of judges that includes CIOs, academic researchers and IT professionals, selected the finalists who exhibit the key traits of a CIO leader:
Strong Communicator
Articulates a vision for strategic business value from IT and works across the organization to build partnership around this vision. Focuses communications on value and innovation, not technology. Helps all IT staff to understand the business and speak the language of business leaders.
Proven Manager
Clearly demonstrates value-for-money in the management of core IT services – providing the right services at the right price and the right level of quality. Recognized among peers as an effective leader of the IT unit.
Value Driver
Understands the business and needs of the CEO, CFO, Line-of-Business heads and other senior executives. Ensures clear focus on potential and realized value in all IT initiatives. Incorporates IT into business decision-making by participating in key strategic conversations, suggesting innovative uses of IT, and managing risk.
Trusted Partner
Exercises authority beyond IT itself. Considered a trusted member of the senior executive team, not just a technology leader. Suggests innovative uses of IT to transform the business – and successfully executes the changes. May receive additional non-IT responsibilities such as Chief Operating Officer or VP of Strategy, or strategic temporary roles such as Head of M&A integration.
These criteria are adapted from the award-winning book The Real Business of IT: How CIOs Create and Communicate Value, which draws extensively upon research conducted at MIT Sloan.
For more details and to view the full agenda, visit www.mitcio.com.
About the MIT Sloan CIO Symposium
The MIT Sloan CIO Symposium is the premier global conference for CIOs and digital business executives to become more effective leaders. In one day, CIOs and senior IT executives explore enterprise technology innovations, business practices and receive actionable information that enables them to meet the challenges of today and the future. The Symposium offers a unique learning environment by bringing together the academic thought leadership of MIT with the in-the-trenches experience of leading, global CIOs and industry experts. The MIT Sloan CIO Symposium is organized and developed by the MIT Sloan Boston Alumni Association, the MIT Initiative on the Digital Economy (IDE), and the MIT Sloan Center for Information Systems Research (CISR). Visit www.mitcio.com for more information and registration.
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